Tag archive for roadside attractions - page 3

Superman 611 Market Street Metropolis, IL 618-524- “Zippy the Pinhead” location Its a great photo op to pose with the statue of Superman in the self-proclaimed “Superman’s Hometown” – Metropolis, Illinois. Plus there are cut-outs for photo ops, and a spiffy museum. Metropolis is the…

Ames Brothers Pyramid East of Laramie on I-80 Laramie, WY Roadside monument The high point of the Transcontinental Railroad was marked by this massive self-serving monument to the money men behind it – one of whom later ended up being kicked out of the Senate…

It’s been immortalized by Don McLean as “The Day the Music Died.” On February 3, 1959, a 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, killed three American rock and roll legends: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, as well…

Installed in 1973 this sculpture was created by Alexander Calder, one of the most eminent sculptors of the 20th century American art. Brilliant orange color (aka “Calder Red”) and the graceful curves are a great contrast to the three black and blocky Mies Van Der…

Sears Tower was sold in 2009, and it still is the tallest building on Route 66! If you feel particularly adventurous step outside the tallest building in the western hemisphere and the third tallest in the world. At 1,353 feet in the air, the Ledge’s…

This classic joint was immortalized by John Belushi and crew from Saturday Night Live … and really isn’t that far from the start of Route 66. Legend (and their website) has it that Greek immigrant owner William Sianis became known as “Billy Goat,” when a…

The 1927 double leaf Adams Street Bridge is one of Chicago’s moveable bridges that lift for boat traffic along the south branch of the Chicago River. Back in the 19th century, the downtown Chicago River was the city’s main harbor, filled with Great Lakes vessels…

Despite the cold, damp, windy day that is typical of a Chicago winter, Millenium Park was the happening place to be. Ice skating and gawking at the amazing public art seems to defy any meteorological difficulties. Millennium Park 201 East Randolph Chicago, Illinois 60602 (312)…

You may remember the famous baby carriage on the stairs scene in “The Untouchables.” The magnificent Union Station is located between westbound and eastbound Route 66. Originally designed by famed architect Daniel Burnham, (”Make no small plans, they have no magic to stir men’s blood.”)…

Most of the DC Metro stations were designed by Chicago architect Harry Weese, and remind me of of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. The underground stations were built with cathedral-like arches of concrete, highlighted by soft, indirect lighting. In 2007, the design of the Metro’s vaulted-ceiling stations…